AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Thursday a lasting peace accord with Israel was unlikely in 2008 despite renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-running conflict.
"I do not believe though that the final resolution ... willbe complete in the course of this year. I don't think that islikely," Fayyad said.
On a trip to the Middle East last month, U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush said he believed a peace treaty between Israeland the Palestinians would be signed before he leaves office inJanuary 2009.
(Editing by Peter Cooney)